Outdoor Christian music festival slated for Aug. 15 |
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Friday, 06 August 2010 12:51 |
TOLEDO—The parishes of the Diocese of Toledo are hosting EXCLAIM, a free, family Christian music festival featuring nationally known artists.
The Aug. 15 event is to be held at The Msgr. Schmit CYO Athletic Complex, located at 555 S. Holland-Sylvania Road, near the intersection of Holland-Sylvania Road and Airport Highway.
“We came up with the idea after attending a similar type of festival in Cleveland where they draw 30,000 people a year,” says Michael Puppos, EXCLAIM co-director and the full-time music director and youth minister at Perrysburg Blessed John XXIII. He is assisted by co-director Jen Bine, a fifth-grade teacher and youth minister at Toledo St. Pius X. There are an additional 11 board members who are heading up major areas of responsibility.
“Christian music has become extremely popular, and we felt it was time to introduce a major event to Toledo,” says Ms. Bine.
EXCLAIM features headliner Matt Maher from Tempe, Ariz., who is to perform at 5 p.m. Mr. Maher has become a respected worship leader with an international platform and has developed a reputation for being a versatile songwriter. His latest single, “Alive Again,” was named best Christian and Gospel single of 2009. Audrey Assad, a female Christian artist whose popularity is soaring, is to perform during Mr. Maher’s set.
Chris Bray, a popular Canadian Christian artist is to sing and serve as master of ceremonies. Jackie Francois, an up-and-coming artist from Placentia, Calif., is to perform at 3:30 p.m. Ms. Francois released her debut album, “Your Kingdom is Glorious,” with SpiritandSong.com/OCP in November 2008.
EXCLAIM kicks off at 2 p.m. (gates open at 1 p.m.) with Jacob’s Well, a local act that placed second in the EXCLAIM talent competition. They are to be followed at 3 p.m. by Universal Worship Experience, another local act that finished first in the talent competition.
Throughout the day families can enjoy large inflatables, children’s activities, a basketball tournament for high school age teens, and a Frisbee tournament. More than 30 area businesses and organizations are to have informational booths at the event, and food and non-alcoholic beverages are to be available for purchase.
“The CYO fields are the perfect place for this event,” says Mr. Puppos. “It offers 900 free parking spaces, permanent concession stands and restrooms, and a lot of space to sit. We encourage those who attend to bring chairs and blankets to sit in the grass.”
If needed, overflow parking will be offered at St. John’s Jesuit High School on Airport Highway with shuttle buses providing transportation to and from the event.
The evening concludes with a large outdoor Catholic Mass beginning at 7 p.m. that is to be concelebrated by priests and deacons from across the Diocese of Toledo. A 67-member choir, comprised of singers from area Catholic churches, and a live contemporary band are to provide liturgical music.
“It will be a beautiful, inspirational way to end the evening,” says Ms. Bine.
Major sponsors of EXCLAIM include Davis College, Lourdes College and the Diocese of Toledo. More information for the free EXCLAIM Christian music festival can be found at www.exclaimtoledo.org.
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Last Updated on Friday, 06 August 2010 12:53 |
